The Heritage Rider

Ok, in all seriousness, who would do this with me? Why or why not?

I saw this from another cyclist's plans and now I can't stop thinking about it. Not only would I get to go back to Jordan and see its natural beauties, I then could finally be in Israel and see Jerusalem. Plus, it'd be way shorter than the Mormon Pioneer Trail which with my new work schedule, I wouldn't have enough time to do.

Many of you know that at Brigham Young University I studied Middle East Studies/Arabic. I even lived in Jordan for a semester, tried opening an English school in Turkey, and spent several years interviewing and documenting on video Middle East language curriculum and careers. Afghanistan was not a mute area for concern in our studies and efforts. I’m so grateful that I get to live in a state that has a history with the Mormon Pioneers as refugees seeking religious freedom and still seeks to help refugees of all kinds around the world. I rode the Mormon Pioneer Trail to bring attention to its cause and I hope by posting this that it brings attention this current cause.

Last night Phoebe and I did the Trail of Hope performed by the Young Performing Missionaries here in Nauvoo. It is Parley St that was the street leading the pioneers to cross the Mississippi and to start the pioneer trail. Near the banks of the Mississippi, there is a memorial for all of those that did not make it. Along the whitewall are printed 1900 names. We found Solomon Hancock, his mom and brother, who are all buried at Rock
Creek cemetery where we were near Winter Quarters.

Some interesting facts. 56,000 individuals started the Mormon Pioneer Trail and with 1900 of them dying at some point during the trek. About 300-500 of them while staying in Winter Quarters. That leaves a 3.5% mortality rate. The Mormon Pioneer Trail was 1,300 miles with roughly 1.46 people dead every mile.

The Oregon Trail had 350,00 individuals start the journey and an estimated 30,000 died along the trail. Having an 8.5% mortality rate. The Oregon Trail was 2,000 miles with roughly 15 people dead every mile.

It appears there would be less dysentery in the “Mormon Pioneer Trail” game than the “Oregon Trail” game 😂

So grateful for the tribute you see here even in Nauvoo to the men, women, and children that went forward in faith to build their Zion.